Welcome aboard (0.5%  x 2 = 1% Bonus)

- Welcome Survey
- Discussion Post: Introduce yourself and connect with classmates #FinAid

Learning checkpoints (10% x 4 = 40%)

There will be four checkpoints throughout the course on Canvas that are due on Tuesdays before class (by 2pm). Each checkpoint will consist of a variety of question types, with a focus on multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-response questions to test comprehension and critical thinking.

These quizzes are meant to be quick reviews of the weekly content and help keep track of your learning.

Gradescope: We’ll be using Gradescope for learning checkpoints and other submission. Once you’ve created an account using your @ucsd.edu email address, and using only lowercase letters in your email, you’ll be able to see the course, as well as to upload your assignments. If you have any problems with this process, please contact your instructor.

QALMRI Reports (5% x 2 = 10%)

The first step in our course is mastering how to read journal articles effectively using the QALMRI method. You will read two papers and submit a QALMRI report. This acronym stands for Questions, Alternatives, Logic, Methods, Results, and Inferences, each representing a critical component of research articles. The QALMRI method will be our primary tool for both critically evaluating experimental studies and organizing your own experiment proposals. It aids in connecting theoretical frameworks with empirical data by clarifying the research questions, the methodologies employed, and the significance of the findings.

Detailed instructions on the QALMRI method and sample QALMRIs can be found here.

List of papers: Brown-Schmidt & Tanenhaus (2006); De Neys & Schaeken (2007); Felser et al. (2003); Hochstein et al. (2017); Kamide et al. (2003); Patson & Warren (2013)

Sign up for papers/groups here - first come, first served!

QALMRI Reports Submission Details:

• Timing: You are required to submit two QALMRI reports: the first on Thursday of Week 3 and the second on Tuesday of Week 5.

• In-class group work: You will have the opportunity to work in groups to discuss the paper, improving your understanding through collaborative discussion.

• Grading: The initial submission will be graded for completion (due before class by 2:00 PM). Post-discussion, you are encouraged to revise and resubmit your report by 11:59 PM on the same day, with the revised submission being graded for content.

By integrating the QALMRI method into your learning process, you'll develop a structured approach to dissecting and comprehending scientific literature, setting a solid foundation for your final project.

In class work (20%):

 Students will participate in graded in-class activities aimed at preparing them for the final project. In these sessions, students will:

• Use class time for collaborative study, comparing QALMRI reports and critiquing research papers together.

• Create a mini poster using Google Jamboard, on a different empirical paper for each group (a sign-up sheet will be available for group and paper selection).

• Present their mini poster in the following class, highlighting key findings and discussion points from their assigned paper (15-20 minutes each group).

These presentations will provide a forum to discuss possible improvements in experimental design, potential changes, and critical thinking questions concerning incidental variables, result validity, population effects, and alternative research methods.

Active participation is essential for full credit in these activities.  Students can miss one in-class activity without penalty.

Final project: QALMRI +++ (30%): 

For the final project, students may work individually or in pairs to complete an extended QALMRI report on a selected research paper. This extended version, QALMRI+++, not only requires the standard QALMRI analysis but also includes additional critical expansions that propose a follow-up study design. A list of eligible papers is provided, allowing students to choose a topic that aligns with their interests. Please sign up for a paper here by Friday July 26. You are encouraged to submit it as early as possible. The final project is due Saturday 8/3, by 11:59 pm.

List of papers: Brown-Schmidt & Konopka (2015); Dudley et al. (2015); Fernald et al. (2001); Ferreira & Yoshita (2003); Gout et al. (2004); Ji & Papafragou (2020); Keysar et al. (2000); Kursat & Degen (2020); Ozge et al. (2019); Papadopoulou & Clahsen (2003); Skordos et al. (2020); Syrett & Aravind (2022); Traxler (2005); Wittenberg & Snedeker (2013)

Components of QALMRI+++ include:

1. Standard QALMRI Analysis

2. Critical Thinking Expansion (First +): 

a. Identify potential incidental variables that could influence the study's outcomes and discuss the reliability of the results.

b. Evaluate how the subject population might affect the task and predict outcomes for a different demographic.

c. Propose alternative approaches to address the same/related research questions. This could involve suggesting different experimental methods, adjusting the experimental design to control for additional variables, or using diverse populations to enhance the generalizability of the findings.

d. Outline predictions for your proposed follow-up study.

3. Diversifying Psycholinguistics (Second +): Explore strategies to make the findings more generalizable and applicable outside the laboratory environment, drawing on insights from class discussions on "Diversifying Psycholinguistics I"

4. Defining participants (Third +): Clearly define the term "native speakers'' within the context of your proposed study, drawing on insights from class discussions on "Diversifying Psycholinguistics II''.